ESPRIT delivers powerful programming, accurate simulation, and machine-optimized G-code for any class of CNC machine tool including horizontal, vertical, and gantry machines. As a full-spectrum solution for high value-added parts, processes, and demanding machining applications, ESPRIT is the right choice for any industrial application, from job shop work to large-scale heavy equipment manufacturing. With ESPRIT, production machining includes the ability to combine milling, turning, and probing cycles into one program to utilize the full capability of the machine tool and maximize shop productivity.
- Powerful programming, accurate simulation, and machine-optimized G-code for any class of CNC machine tool
- Combining milling, turning, and probing cycles into one program
- Utilizing the full capability of the machine tool and maximizing shop productivity
A Natural Workflow
ESPRIT provides a natural workflow from CAD design to machine-optimized G-code. Job shops benefit from the ability to read CAD files in virtually any format, while manufacturers see improved workflow integration as ESPRIT reads native CAD data from leading design systems. ESPRIT will import CAD feature tree (FX) and product manufacturing information (PMI) along with the part geometry to give the programmer a complete definition of the part, without the need for secondary documentation. Output from the system includes edit-free G-code that may include sub-programs for readability and repeatability, along with optional tooling and operation reports for use on the shop floor.
- Reading native CAD data from the leading design systems
- Part geometry
- CAD feature tree (FX)
- Product manufacturing information (PMI)
- Producing machine-optimized, edit-free G-code with:
- Sub-programs for repeatability
- Reports for use on the shop floor
Program One Part, Machine Many
ESPRIT provides tremendous power for multi-part machining. Machine different parts or different sides of the same part using different workholding. With its part view, ESPRIT makes it easy to develop and review the process plan to machine a given part, while the machine view visualizes how one or more instances of one or more parts will be cut on the machine. The result is simplified programming with complete understanding of the actual on-machine process. With the freedom to program milling, turning, or probing cycles on a “milling” machine, ESPRIT’s Modeless Programming™ lets the programmer take full advantage of the CNC. Regardless of last-minute changes to the setup, number of parts to be machined, or machine choice, ESPRIT automatically updates the program for the new machine configuration.
- Simplified programming with complete control
- Part view develops the process plan for an individual part
- Machine view visualizes the optimized on-machine process
- Freedom to program milling, turning, or probing cycles on a "milling" machine
- Automatic program updates for setup or machine changes
Programming with a Digital Twin
To provide the knowledge that drives its most advanced and beneficial features, ESPRIT uses a digital twin of the CNC along with the part setup and tooling. Setting up the machine digitally, with realistic tool assemblies and workholding as done in the shop, gives ESPRIT an awareness of the real manufacturing environment. This "machine awareness" helps CAM programmers make better choices and see improved machine performance. The programming is simplified, and many tasks, such as link generation, cycle time optimization, machine simulation, process verification, and collision detection, are automated. Process verification includes support for setup changes and dynamic fixtures with axis motion, travel limits, and stop on contact.
- Machine awareness helps CAM programmers make better choices
- Programming is simplified and many tasks are automated
- Significantly improving the machine’s performance on the shop floor
Optimized Production
ESPRIT automatically optimizes cycle times by minimizing tool changes, axis rotations, and machine travel, all while taking into consideration dependencies between operations and setups. This produces highly efficient part programs and maximum machine utilization. Dependencies may be inherent, such as roughing before finishing, or added by the programmer due to unique requirements for a given part. Other considerations for optimization include automatic detection of setup changes such as part flip, eject, and transfer. The use of common cutting tools and operations across multiple workpieces is also automatically consolidated.
- Automatically optimize cycle times to produce highly efficient part programs and maximum machine utilization
- Considers dependencies such as roughing before finishing or other unique requirements for a given part
- Examples include detection of setup changes such as part flip, eject, and transfer or the use of cutting tools and operations across multiple workpieces
Intelligent Work Offsets
ESPRIT provides native support for a wide range of work offsets, mapping the machine’s coordinate system to the different workpiece coordinate systems needed in a production machining environment. This greatly simplifies dealing with variances in workpiece size and positioning, complex fixturing, multiple parts on a tombstone, multi-sided 5-axis machining, and more. Once the work offsets are initially set up, the system automatically assigns them to each cutting cycle and replicates them as needed for multiple workpiece instances. The automatic link generator considers the chosen work offsets for optimized positioning moves. The work offsets are also visualized during the simulation and validated during the verification step, taken into consideration during collision detection, and output in the G-code program.
- Native support for a wide range of work offsets
- Simplifies variances in workpieces, fixturing, multiple parts machining, and more
- Automatic link generator considers work offsets for optimized positioning moves and collision avoidance
Automatic Link Generator
In the world of production machining, ESPRIT’s automatic link generator is a invaluable tool that saves programming time and gets the most out of the machine. By automatically understanding the clearances needed to navigate a tombstone, how to position around complex workholding, and managing 4th- and 5th-axis positioning. The link generator also determines clearances needed for difficult in-cut repositioning, speeding programming and reducing cycle times. With the ability to optimize retracts, the link generator allows larger parts to be machined on smaller envelope CNCs, making a big difference to a shop’s bottom line.
- Automatic programming for:
- Clearances needed to navigate a tombstone
- Positioning around complex workholding
- Managing 4th- and 5th-axis positioning
- Determining clearances needed for difficult in-cut repositioning
- Speeds programming, reduces cycle time, and gets the most out of the machine
ESPRIT helps us when it comes to new product introduction, product changes, ESPRIT helps us getting market quicker that way in programming and being able to get machine tools ready to machine parts, most efficient, best way possible, right from the start.
With the intelligence of the default and process technology, I can teach ESPRIT to program features how I want them. These tools within the KnowledgeBase allow the user to forget about the mundane tasks when programming and gives him or her the time needed to focus on the intricacies of the part.
Production Machining Features
SolidMill
- Traditional 2.5-axis milling and ProfitMilling, plus:
- C-axis index and rotary milling
- A-axis, 3+1, index milling
- B-axis, 3+2, index milling
- 3rd rotary axis, 3+3, index milling
- Simultaneous multi-axis milling
SolidTurn
- Traditional 2-axis turning cycles including ProfitTurning
- FreeForm 3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis
- Collinear axes
- Add-on to support programmable collinear axis
Probing
- 3+2 probing cycles for any combination of CNC machine, control, and touch probe manufacturer
Report Generator
- Shop floor reports that provide information about the machine, tooling, and machining operations